Michigan K-12 schools

Some Michigan communities vote Tuesday on local issues and school funding. The timing is a function of state law, and it helps districts plan their budgets.

Teachers don’t choose this profession for the paycheck. But if we keep treating them like they don’t need one, we’ll keep losing them. Policymakers have an opportunity to change that.

Legislators are jockeying to spend big in their districts, filing 800 requests to spend millions on everything from teachers and museums to youth programs, agriculture and bridges.

The cuts to the program will impact literacy tutors, homeless assistance and the Special Olympics as a result of efforts to slash the federal budget.

Michigan’s Democratic Senate wants $21.8 billion for public schools to help reduce class sizes, pay teachers more.

The ‘science of reading’ is gaining momentum across the country. But making it happen in Michigan classrooms takes time, funds and staff buy-in.

Michiganders deserve energy-efficient public buildings that can save on heating and cooling costs, and students deserve — and need — safe and comfortable school buildings with clean air to breathe.

Tuition discounts haven’t worked. Nor has mostly free community college. Now, the state is trying sweepstakes to get more teens to fill out financial aid forms. Similar incentives have had mixed success.

After the Trump administration cut 90% of its funding, Michigan Humanities suspends activities, including the ‘Great Michigan Read,’ a student history competition, museum exhibits and a veterans project.

With Michigan’s government again divided, lawmakers will need bipartisan support to fix schools. Here are some of their ideas.

Rice’s departure comes at a crucial time for Michigan education, where some state education chiefs are embracing President Trump’s education agenda and others like Rice are fighting it.

Michigan officials said schools would be on hook for $40 million after the federal government halted COVID-19 payments. While uncertainty remains, the total is less than half that.

Less focus has been paid to the role employers can play in the fight to improve attendance.

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is telling states that the time to spend COVID relief funds is over. More than 25 Michigan districts could be on the hook for a combined $42 million in spending.

We should be doing everything we can to see that this group of students have the support and resources they need to succeed. Instead, the state is making it harder for them to access a learning environment that works.

President Donald Trump is taking steps to further shrink the Department of Education's influence in education.

Many Michigan schools were built before 1970, a new report shows. How can districts cover the costs to get schools up to health and safety standards?

The number of students considered ‘economically disadvantaged’ students in Michigan fell 7.5% this year. That means millions less for schools, even if the finances of the students’ families haven’t necessarily changed.

A smaller share of Michigan high school graduates are choosing to attend college after graduation than before the pandemic. How did your district fare? Use our database.

Last year, Michigan invested well over $100 million in student scholarships. Even so, the rate of high school grads going to college is still below pre-pandemic levels.